October 2005
25th Anniversary Year
"Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare;Lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, And make the desolate cities inhabited." NKJ Isaiah 54:2&33
Mexico
Two of our young ladies Ana and Anahi turned 15 this year. As we have told you before the age of 15 is a milestone in a young ladies life in Mexico. This signifies that she is a woman. In the church it also signifies her commitment to the Lord. The girls always wear white dresses and carry flowers as a bride would. They are given Bibles and other items that they will cherish all their lives.
Ana is one of our girls that thought she would never have this great day. When she came to us she had been abused in all ways. Over the years she has grown in the knowledge that she is loved and she has grown in the Lord tremendously. She was so excited about her dress and the entire party. What a blessing for us to be able to be a part of her becoming a whole young lady.
Ana is so changed please put some type of caption on the picture.
Anahi is the daughter of Abraham and Ana. They are our assistant directors of the Children’s Home. Since they have come to be the Children’s Home their children have given up a lot. They used to have their own home and a lot fewer people in it. Their Dad made more money than he does now. This has been a calling on the entire family. Ahahi was not sure if she would have a Quincenera or not. We are blessed that she did. She looked so beautiful.
Our vision for the Children’s Home is to provide an atmosphere as close to family life as possible. That is why we believe the children should have Quinceneras and other important stepping stones. We want all of our children to have what most families provide for their children.
We have eight new children in our home in Chihuahua. This is a blessing and a stretch for us. Five of the children came from the mountains around Chihuahua. They are Adan who is 12 years old, Jaime is 10 years old, Bernardo is seven years old, Gladys who is six years old and Ana Graciela who is five years old. They are all brothers and sisters. The mother has cancer and the father has deserted the family. The mother came to Chihuahua for treatment and brought the children to the Children’s Home. We could not turn them away. They do need a lot of love and attention at this time and they will get it.
The other three children came from Chihuahua; they are Karina who is 10 years old, Celeste is eight years old and Fernie who is seven. The father left the mother and the children. The mother was working at night and the children were left unattended. One night while the children were sleeping, the house caught on fire. The oldest child was able to get out of the house and alert the neighbors. The neighbors rescued the children and were able to put out the fire. The children were taken to the Police. The mother earns very little and is not able to properly care for the children so they were brought to the Children’s Home. This brings us to 33 children.
We need to increase the amount of money for food, schooling, utilities etc. We are looking for people who want to help these children on a monthly basis. It is amazing that we can feed these children for only $1.00 a day. If you can help in any way it will be greatly appreciated.
Philippines
In the Lebak area, which is a rural area in Mindanao, we are building a new church. We have just secured the title deed for the property and the congregation is doing the construction. So far they have the floor and the walls finished but they need to put a roof on the building. This is going to cost $600.00. If anyone would like to help with this project please mark your checks Phil Church Roof.
Our church in Polomolok just celebrated its 7th anniversary. More than 100 students from different schools came together for a retreat in North Cotabato. The campus ministry is really growing.
The Bible School is going well. We just need to purchase the land where the Bible School is located and build more facilities.
We are continuing to pray about sending some Philippine Pastors to Thailand as missionaries to begin church planting in that nation. Please help us pray for wisdom and direction and for God to supply the resources needed.
China
Our missionary is back in China and teaching at the University again this year. Because she works full time we do not need to support her financially.
However, we will be sending money to buy blankets to distribute to poor families who have no heat in their houses. She will be purchasing medicine and helping the poor in many practical ways. This is a great way to get to know people and to take them the word of the Gospel. We believe in helping people with their physical needs as this will show the love of Jesus. Of course, she will be purchasing Bibles to distribute in rural areas where most people cannot afford a Bible. Bibles cost $4.00 each.
25th Anniversary Year
Ron and Bernadette Gartner
Your Evangelists to the world.
Use this address To send us a tax deductible LOVE GIFT.
About Refuge Ministries and the Gartners - Current Newsletter
Intercessors Newsletter - Past Newsletters - Mexico Children's Home - Email Gartners
Africa - Philippines - Mexico
